In recent years, projects have been undertaken to raise Indianapolis up as a major cultural center, with designated "Cultural Districts" being revitalized and prepped to draw in tourism, as well as commercial and residential occupancy. The city is already recognized for its berth of war memorials - the count second only to Washington, D.C. An eclectic collection of performing arts venues are scattered throughout Indianapolis, as well as many museums with content ranging from fine art to car racing memorabilia.

ART GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS

• Located on a 152-acre property near downtown, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, known as the IMA, is home to a permanent collection of more than 50,000 artworks, as well as "100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park". Within the collection is an impressive section of Neo-Impressionist paintings, Edo-period Japanese paintings, and works in various medium by Paul Gauguin and the Pont-Aven School he inspired. The museum itself was established in 1883, but moved to its current home in the 1960s. The campus, called Oldfields, was donated by the Lilly family, and houses some historic properties in addition to the various pavilions devoted to the museum.

• Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, called iMOCA, was originally conceived as a "museum without walls", and showcases a new exhibit every two months; in total: two shows of local artists, two of regional artists, and two of national artists. Founded in 2001, the museum makes it home at different venues that best suit its current exhibition. Known around the city for continuously showing artists, local or otherwise, who are on the verge of making it big, past shows have featured Jen Davis, Jeff Gabel, and Cindy Hinant.

• Home to a large collection of Native and Western American art, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art features the collection of Harrison Eiteljorg, a philanthropist and businessman and was established in 1989. It also houses the Gund Gallery, which shows works donated by the family of George Gund. The museum is known for having one of the largest collections of contemporary Aboriginal art in the world, and also contains works by Andy Warhol, Georgia O'Keeffe, and various contemporary artists.

• The National Art Museum of Sport was founded in 1959, and focuses on artworks that celebrate the emotions of athletics - the joy, the pain, the urge to defeat one's opponent. Previous exhibitions have features artistic interpretations of well known athletes, including Gordie Howe, Arnold Palmer and Bobby Grant. Not exclusive to two dimensional, Western art, the museum has also held exhibits of Inuit artists, including sculpture, tapestries and artifacts. In addition to exhibitions, the museum also runs outreach programs, and is home a collection of educational materials.

• Indianapolis Artsgarden
• Children's Museum of Indianapolis
• Indiana State Museum
• Indianapolis Art Center
• Harrison Center for the Arts
• Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library
• RAW Indianapolis
• Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum
• Art Bank Gallery
• James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home
• 4 Star Gallery
• Artbox
• Broad Ripple Art & Design

Indianapolis, Indiana

ARTISTIC INSTITUTIONS

• A part of Indiana University, Herron School of Art and Design offers bachelor and masters degree programs to almost 900 students. Established in 1902 as John Herron Art Institute, it originally played a dual role as an art gallery and school. The school is housed in a Renaissance Revival-style building that has seen expansion and renovation in recent years, including space for an auditorium, gallery, and ceramics lab. Students attending Herron can study art history, ceramics, drawing, furniture design, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture. Graduate degrees are also granted in the areas of visual art and communication design.

• Students of Marian University have the opportunity to study art history, fine art, graphic design, or photography. Established in 1851, the campus is located on a 200 acre property that includes a wetland forest, the original Allison mansion (in which the offices of the president are situated), and the Lake Sullivan Sports Complex. The university is divided into six separate departments that offer a total of 36 undergraduate degree programs.

• At Ball State University, the artistically inclinded can gear their studies toward undergraduate degrees in animation, advertising, art history, ceramics, drawing, glass working, metals, painting, and more. Masters degrees in apparel or interior design, visual art, and urban design are also offered. Founded in 1918, the university is home to more than 20,000 students enrolled in any of 178 bachelor's and 99 master's programs.

• Yet more artistic post-secondary programs abound at the University of Indianapolis. Studio art and graphic design concentrations are available, as well as more general focus programs such as Digital Media Management and Digital Media Studies. The exceedingly studious can also pursue a Master's degree in Art. Home to eight separate colleges, the university enrols more than 5000 students and began educating in 1905. Originally named Indiana Central University, the original initials can still be seen carved into the brick of the main campus library.

• Study art and design, enhanced by excellent internship opportunities, at Butler University.

• The Art Institute of Indianapolis offers classroom and online study of photography, animation, interior design and fashion design.

• Take a class in ceramics, digital art, glass or textile art at the Indianapolis Art Center.

• At The Art Lab youngsters learn to paint, teens are informed on portfolio preparation, while adults can practice felting, drawing, or clay sculpting.

• Take a private instructional class with Rachel Steely, available for people of all ages.

• At the Garfield Park Arts Center, students learn clay handbuilding, painting, and drawing.

NATIVE ARTISTS

There are plenty of artistic people connected to, or currently living in, Indianapolis, Indiana!

• Vija Celmins is a painter who attended Herron School of Art and Design. She went on to teach in such prestigious circles as the Yale School of Art, and her work has been exhibited at MoMA and The Whitney.

• A painter of landscapes, still lifes, and portraits John Wesley Hardrick (1891-1968) also attended Herron, and has works owned by the Indiana State Museum.

• Famous author Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) is best known for his novel Slaughterhouse-Five. He was the president of the American Humanist Society.

• Actors Steve McQueen, Doug Jones, Steve Talley, Steve Burton, and Brendan Fraser are native Indianapolitans.

• Best known for her designs in the mid-century modern style, Avriel Shull (1931-1976) was a self-taught architect and interior designer.

• Michael Graves ( 1934-2015) was part of the New York Five group of architects, and designed well-known buildings in the postmodern style, such as the Portland Building and the Denver Public Library.

ART AND CULTURAL EVENTS

Annual Events

• First held in 1992, the Heartland Film Festival takes place each October, and features ten days of screenings that showcase the works of more than 100 visiting filmmakers from around the world. Designated as a qualifying festival for selection of the Short Films category of the Academy Awards, the event saw more than 1500 submissions from 85 countries at the 2014 festival.

• Indianapolis Midwest Fashion Week is in March and October each year, and features events for designers, models, and fashion lovers alike. First held in 2006, the event is working to expand its horizons by featuring musical talent, artistic exhibitions, and great local food. With attendance in the range of 5000, Indianapolis' fashion week gives guests and designers the chance to interact with one another, in a realm of "upstyle sophistication".

Other Events and Sights to See

• Get a seat on the stands at Victory Field to watch the the Indianapolis Indians knock one out of the park.

• Spend ten days binge-watching great cinema from around the world at the Indianapolis International Film Festival.

• Don't miss one of 200 yearly concerts by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, held at the Hilbert Circle Theatre.

• Immerse yourself in the world of the professional athlete at the NCAA Hall of Champions.

• Get into town for the world-famous Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

• The Indianapolis Zoo offers great, close up views of elephants, dolphins, and orangutans.

• Take in a dramatic show at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, whose past performances include Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Crucible, and Dracula.

• For more information on all there is to see and do in Indianapolis, visit their official tourism website!

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